Jim Fassel Foundation to Make Its Single Largest Donation Everto First Responder Support Groups and 9/11-Related Charities

The foundation of the former N.Y. Football Giants’ head coach, set up to“never forget” the 9/11 victims, has raised more than $1.1 million to date; Pledges $250,000 todayto five organizations representing first responders, health providers and 9/11-related charities.

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2008 – Like many Americans, Jim Fassel remembers exactly where he was when he first heard of the 9/11 attacks. The former head coach of the New York Giants was in his office at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., that beautiful September morning, having just returned from Denver following a Monday Night Football game. “I had the television on in my office when I first heard the news reports of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. A group of us ran up to the roof of Giants Stadium and could clearly see the smoke from the tower and ultimately the collapse of the first tower soon afterward,” said Fassel. “When I walked through the ruble of Ground Zero the following week and witnessed firsthand the full extent of the tragedy and the bravery and courage of so many people, I pledged that I’d never forget the events of that day, and I’d do what I could to help the people affected by it.”

Fassel kept his promise.

Today, more than seven years later, Fassel will announce at a press conference at the WTC Tribute Center in Lower Manhattan, that the Jim Fassel Foundation he set up in 2002 to support first responders and the families affected by the World Trade Center attacks had raised more than $1.1 million in funds and was distributing $250,000 – its largest one-time contribution to date – to five organizations representing first responders and 9/11-related charities.

Expected to attend the event were well-known Fox Network broadcaster Curt Menefee, along with former New York Giants players, including George Martin, who walked more than 3,000 miles across the entire United States this past summer to raise money to support Ground Zero first responders and others who subsequently developed serious post-9/11 medical conditions as a result of extended exposure to Ground Zero’s contaminated air.

“We achieved a very important milestone, surpassing $1,000,000 in funds raised, and we are gratified now to be able to lend a helping hand to these and other outstanding organizations and programs that make a difference to the families and individuals affected by the 9/11 tragedy,” said Fassel. “After seven years, many may not realize that the 9/11 tragedy continues to cause considerable pain, hardship and illness, which is why it is so essential that we find ways to keep the needs of those affected in the public eye because they will continue to require our support for some time.”

The Jim Fassel Foundation has now distributed more than $500,000 to date. Persons interested in making contributions to the Jim Fassel Foundation can do so by contacting the Foundation at www.jimfasselfoundation.org.

The five organizations that will receive contributions today from the Jim Fassel Foundation include:

Tuesday’s Children Mentoring Program: Family service programs designed to address the unmet needs of 9/11 family members at each and every stage of life and recovery ($50,000).

First Responders Health Clinics: Mount Sinai Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program for WTC Responders ($25,000); Hackensack University Medical Center Program for WTC First Responders ($25,000).

FDNY:Counseling Services Unit Community Connections for Mental Health and Wellness Program for First Responders to 9/11 ($50,000).

MyGoodDeed.org: The nonprofit initiative to establish 9/11 as an annually recognized National Day of Charity and Service to honor the victims, volunteers and rescue and recovery workers of the 9/11 attacks and encourage community service in the post-9/11 era ($50,000).

Jim Fassel also plans to announce that he has joined the Board of Directors of MyGoodDeed.org. “The idea of MyGoodDeed.org is to encourage Americans everywhere to remember 9/11 by engaging in their own personal expressions of charity and service on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks,” said Fassel. “In so many ways, the idea of MyGoodDeed.org aligns with the mission we have for my own foundation, and I am delighted to join in the growing effort to permanently establish 9/11 as a day of charity and service.”

About the Jim Fassel Foundation
The Jim Fassel Foundation was formed Nov. 13, 2002, to assist families in the New York Metro area whose lives have been impacted by sudden, unexpected tragedy or illness. The Foundation focuses on individuals affected by the Sept. 11th World Trade Center tragedy in New York City. The goal of the Foundation is to build a fund as a resource for families who have special needs, where they can turn for help with minimal red tape and bureaucracy. Visit www.jimfasselfoundation.org.

About Tuesday’s Children
Tuesday's Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long-term commitment to every individual who was directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, providing a wide range of programming including mentoring, educational and career guidance, leadership training and life management programs, all designed to address the unmet needs of 9/11 family members at each and every stage of life and recovery. Tuesday's Children's programs are created by the families, for the families with one simple goal - to develop the resources and support necessary for our families to not only recover, but to reach their full potential. Visit www.tuesdayschildren.org.

About Wounded Warriors Project
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

About First Responders Health Clinics
The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program (coordinated by the Mount Sinai Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine) offers free and confidential periodic medical exams, referrals for follow-up physical and mental health care, counseling on benefits and entitlement programs, and occupational health education for eligible workers and volunteers involved in 9/11 rescue, recovery, cleanup, or restoration of essential services. All participants must register by calling (888) 702-0630 or (212) 241-1554. Participants can choose where they receive their exam from locations throughout the New York City metro area, New York State, and nationwide. This program is federally funded and free for all participants. Call (888) 702-0630 or visit www.wtcexams.

About Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack University Medical Center's standing as one of New Jersey's and the nation's healthcare leaders is driven by a commitment to quality. At Hackensack University Medical Center, quality means always striving to deliver the best medicine to our patients. It means always re-evaluating the delivery of healthcare to ensure that high standards are achieved. It means never turning away from a community need, but instead redoubling our efforts and commitment to respond to those needs. Visit www.HUMC.org.

About the FDNY Counseling Service Unit
The FDNY Counseling Service Unit (CSU) staff provides mental health evaluations, direct treatment, and appropriate referrals to all employees, Fire, EMS, and other civilians:

About MyGoodDeed.org
MyGoodDeed.org, a 501c3 nonprofit, was founded by 9/11 family members and friends in 2003 to encourage Americans and others to observe the September 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks as a voluntary day of service, in honor of the 9/11 victims, volunteers and rescue and recovery workers. Last year more than a quarter of a million people posted good deeds on the organization’s Web site, www.MyGoodDeed.org , encompassing all 50 states and 150 different countries and territories. For more information, visit www.MyGoodDeed.org.